Lima LS-1000
 | This article includes alist of references,related reading,orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations.(January 2017) |
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The A-3080 (LS-1000) is adiesel-electricswitcher locomotivebuilt between May 1949 and April 1950, by theLima-Hamilton CorporationofLima, Ohio,United States. The A-3080 is a 1,000hp(750kW) switcher, which became the standard for Lima's designs. By changingfuel racksettings, the A-3080 was upgraded to theA-3170,producing 1,200 horsepower (890kW) from the sameturbochargedHamilton T89SAfour-stroke,eightcylinderinlinediesel engine,aWestinghousegenerator and four Westinghousetraction motorsprovided the 74,508lbf(331.43kN) oftractive effort.
Lima-Hamilton never assigned a model number to their models but referred to them by specification numbers. Model designations such asLS-1000were arailfaninvention. Lima-Hamilton assigned A-3080 as the specification number for this particular unit.
History
[edit]In 1946 Lima's Class 1 market prospects were bleak unless it could enter thediesel-electric locomotivefield quickly, but they couldn't afford a full-scale development program. Lima was viewed as an attractive potential partner by other firms eager to enter themarket.Oneproposalwas fromFairbanks-Morse,since the five-year contract withGeneral Electricto build road locomotives for Fairbanks-Morse would run out in 1949, and GE had no interest in renewing the contract since they were working with theAmerican Locomotive Company(ALCO), and already had designs of their own for the roaddieselmarket. Although all the details of the Fairbanks-Morse proposal are not known, it appears to have offered little more than a contract to assemble locomotives and that Fairbanks-Morse wanted a manufacturing facility, not a partner.
At the time, Lima was also conducting discussions with theGeneral Machinery Corporation.One of the companies making up General Machinery Corporation wasHamilton Press and Machinery Company.One of Hamilton's products was a diesel engine for marine and stationary generator applications. On July 30, 1947, Lima Locomotive Works and General Machinery Corporation merged to form the Lima-Hamilton Corporation. Almost immediately there were differences in goals between management.
The General Machinery Corporation management wanted to terminatesteam locomotiveproduction, while the Lima management was still committed to the development of a4-8-6super steam locomotive, nicknamed "double-bubble"for its uniquefirebox,designed withpoppet valves,to be a true competitor in the diesel market, the design of which began in 1929. By April 1949, the design was shelved, and Lima finished its final steam locomotives a month later. Chief Mechanical Officer Bert Townsendresignedinprotestof the decision to scrap the plans to build steam locomotives.
The A-3080's similarity to theALCO S-4switcher may be more than a coincidence. Former ALCOengineerF. J. Geittman was hired by General Machinery Corporation prior to the merger with Lima to oversee their diesel locomotive project. His job was to develop a newprime mover,as the current Hamiltondiesel enginewas not suited forlocomotiveapplications.
Hamilton engineers proved to be worthy counterparts to their Lima brethren. They realized from the start that highpower-to-weight ratiosyield no advantages for locomotives, since locomotives are traditionally weighted with ballast to obtain optimaladhesion.This allowed them to incorporate heaviercrankshafts,bearings,connecting rodsand other parts. Whereas the competition was experiencing road failures with their engines because they followed traditional design methods and used lightweight components.
On May 13, 1949, Lima-Hamilton unveiled its first diesel, A-3080 #1000, the first of five demonstrators #1000-1004. #1000 becameToledo, Peoria and Western#300, #1001 becameAmerican Rolling Mill Company#707, #1002 and 1003 becameWabash#400 and 407 respectively, and #1004 became Indian Hill and Iron Range #302.
In September 1951, Lima-Hamilton merged withBaldwin Locomotive Worksforming Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. Baldwin's primary interest was Lima's shovel and crane business which was expected to do well with the upcoming highway building boom. Lima-Hamilton's locomotive business was discontinued after the merger. Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton's locomotive fortunes declined as the rush by railroads to replace steam power subsided. B-L-H exited the new locomotive market in May 1956.
Original owners
[edit]| Owner | Quantity | Road numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Armco Steel | 3
|
707 (ex-Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1001), 708, 709 |
| Baltimore & Ohio Railroad | 10
|
330–339 |
| Erie Railroad | 10
|
650–659, toErie Lackawannain 1960, same numbers |
| Indian Hill and Iron Range | 1
|
302 (ex Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1004) |
| New York Central Railroad | 6
|
8400–8405 |
| New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad(Nickel Plate Road) | 4
|
305-308 (305 first production A-3080) toNorfolk and Westernin 1964, same numbers |
| Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway | 3
|
300 (ex Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1000), 301, 302 |
| Wabash Railroad | 2
|
400, 407 (ex Lima-Hamilton demonstrators 1002 and 1003) toNorfolk and Westernin 1964, same numbers |
| 38 |
Preservation
[edit]The last extant A-3080, former ARMCO Steel 709, is operated by theWhitewater Valley Railroad
References
[edit]- Kirkland, John F. (November 1985).The Diesel Builders Volume 1: Fairbanks-Morse and Lima-Hamilton.Interurban Press.ISBN0-916374-69-6.
- Hirsimaki, Eric (1986).Lima – the History.Hundman Publishing Inc.
- "The Yard Limit - Lima".RetrievedMarch 9,2009.